Blizzard — Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

2013-03-25 to 2013-03-26 · Wrn P.w. Snd & Kenai Mtns, Alaska

Event narrative

Heavy snow with 1/4 mile visibility had been falling in Whittier since the evening of the 24th but there was very little wind until the low passed East of Whittier. When this happened winds rapidly increased around 3 AM on the 25th and were gusting to 44 mph by 3:30 AM with continued 1/4 mile visibility in snow and blowing snow. The strongest peak wind gust was 53 MPH recorded around 4:30 AM. Peak wind gusts remained mostly in the 35 to 50 mph range for the next day but blizzard conditions abated around 3 AM on the 26th as snowfall diminished and the visibility improved. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

Wider weather episode

During the early morning hours of March 25th a 994 mb low crossed Portage Pass and entered Prince William Sound. As the low passed over Whittier the pressure gradient rapidly increased bringing in strong Westerly winds in addition to the heavy snow that had been falling. The low remained at close to the same strength and was nearly stationary through the day. It then began to significantly weaken around midnight on the 26th filling to 1003 mb by 12Z on the 26th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 438366. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.